The ancient yew tree which stands in front of St Andrew's Church and is clearly visible as you pass the churchyard has been the subject of much press interest recently. It has attracted experts from the Ancient Yew Society and the Conservation Foundation and it appears in a book called the Great Trees of London.

The Yew Tree caused some concern 30 years ago and experts from Kew Gardens were consulted. After inspecting it, they freed some of the soil around the roots, cut some of the withering branches and poured some hardening material into its centre to stop it drying out. The Vicar of St Andrew's, Rev Christopher Huitson, has a certificate signed by Prof David Bellamy of the Conservation Foundation stating that the tree is 2000 years old.

One of the two tombs under the tree is that of Sir Charles Nicholson, one of Totteridge's most famous citizens. He was born in Cockermouth in 1808, graduated in Medicine from Edinburgh University and set sail for Sydney to join his Uncle in 1834. There, he practised as a doctor, but also acquired many business interests. He was a very cultured man and the first speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. He was instrumental in establishing the University of Sydney and became its Chancellor. He donated all his works of art, his book collection and his collection of Antiquities (now known as the Nicholson Museum) to the University. There are many roads named after him.

He returned to England in 1862, married, and in 1876 bought The Grange in Totteridge. In 1902 fire destroyed the Grange and with it all Nicholson's papers and journals. The Grange was eventually rebuilt in the same style and Sir Charles died in 1903. The TRA was contacted this year by the Curator of the Nicholson Museum in Sydney who is mounting an exhibition in November this year to celebrate his bicentenary, so, if any of you are visiting Sydney this Autumn, do visit and report back to us!